union river estuary restoration

In partnership with Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation Office and United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group/Pacific Northwest Salmon Center is working to restore 31 acres of previously filled estuary habitat. This is an important project for juvenile salmon, which require shallow, protected waters to seek refuge from predators and strong currents during seasonal migration.

Estuaries provide an area where juvenile and adult salmon can slowly transition from saltwater to freshwater and fresh to saltwater. This project will aide in restoring the last significant estuary in the southern portion of Hood Canal. Phase 1 of this project began in September of 2012, and was completed in September of 2013.